Why I'm LOVING Le Mill India! (Pardon me for not having discovered it sooner)

We Indians are big fans of luxury designers and love nothing more than to put on our best outfits paired with fabulous accessories and head out to socialise. However, at some point, due the lack of variety with International brands things started getting a little saturated here. It was only the usual Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Chanel that we would end up seeing on people and quite frankly it tires the eyes out. Not to say I don’t adore these brands, in fact, I am a loyal Gucci fan and Chanel, well if you’ve been reading my previous posts, you’ll know that I am currently saving for another 2.55 bag. But beyond a certain point, you want to see other fun brands in the fashion circuit, like an Alexander Wang Pelican bag or maybe a super fun Jason Wu clutch.

I recently heard about a Mumbai based multi-designer boutique, Le Mill. Yes I know you’re probably like raising an eye brow, thinking ‘WHAT, you JUST heard about it??’ Hey, better late than never right? This new, albeit a late discovery has got me extremely excited. They also have an e-commerce site to make their goods available all over India, which is fantastic since I live in Delhi. I went through every product on their website to check out their merchandise and I have to say I am so impressed. I wanted to see how competitive their prices were as it just makes my life easier if I can buy these brands in India itself, so I decided to compare the prices that they are selling their stuff at with international e-commerce sites.


The Le Mill boutique in Mumbai

First up in my comparison list was the Proenza Schouler PS1 leather Ipad case on the Le Mill site which retails at INR 37000. A similar leather Ipad case on net-a-porter was working out to be INR 46,415 and that’s if I choose to deliver it to Dubai. For some reason when I clicked ship to India the ipad case wouldn’t show up. Ordering it to India anyways would be more expensive as duties are higher. So for a similar ipad clutch which differs only very slightly in dimensions (on Le Mill it’s 11x8.5 and net-a-porter its 11x9), surprisingly, it’s cheaper in India! Granted that colourful Ipad cases are last season as they recently went on sale everywhere, however, I checked the Barney’s sale price and it was 24,000 INR not inclusive of shipping and duties which pretty much works out to be the same price eventually.
Next up was the Alexander Wang IT bag, the Rocco. The Rocco Black Dumbo retails with Le Mill for INR 50,450 and when I checked the retail price on the Alexander Wang website (I made sure I checked the dimensions and all) the price was INR 56,983 and this doesn’t include the US city taxes if you were to buy it there itself or duties if you were to order it online from an e-commerce site. I had featured an orange Rocco that was on sale on My Theresa for a previous post where the sale price was INR 37952 again, not inclusive of duties or shipping.

Reese Witherspoon with the Rocco bag

Rihanna with the Rocco bag

Moving on, my next item was the Peter Pilotto Abbey top. It retails at Le Mill for INR 67,650 and for INR 68,256 at net-a-porter which is pretty much the same price as the net-a-porter price is inclusive of duties. However, at least when you order it from Le Mill, and the top doesn’t fit you get the ‘free returns in India’ option which honestly is very important. My mom ordered a pair of Salvatore Ferragamo shoes from Saks Fifth Avenue which didn’t fit very well and for her to send it back meant losing out on roughly 200 dollars!

After careful research on these items (there were more I researched on but I wont bore you with my in depth analysis), I am now more excited than ever to start shopping from this fabulous boutique and their online site. And other than the prices, the list of designers they stock is amazing! Isabel Marant (yes, they have the absolutely MUST HAVE Bekett sneakers), and even Shourouk!! Funnily I just spoke about Shourouk in a previous post and I find out the brand is available on home turf. The Row, Pamela Love and even Alexander Wang’s diffusion line T by Alexander Wang; Le Mill is now a part of my internet explorer favourites.

Anna Dello Russo wearing a Shourouk necklace

Gisele Bundchen in the Isabel Marant Bekett sneakers

Seriously I want to hit myself on the head because I was in Mumbai last week and I never went to the boutique! It’s all good, when I spend two months there during April and May, I know exactly where I’ll be lingering.

40 Years of Diane Von Furstenberg's Iconic Wrap Dress

Every great fashion designer brings a unique thumbprint that sets them apart from their contemporaries. For Christian Dior it is the BAR jacket, for Yves Saint Laurent it is the Le Smoking tuxedo, and for Diane Von Furstenberg--the renaissance woman as we like to call her--it was the wrap dress that she introduced in the early 70s.
 

In order to celebrate 40 years of the success of this iconic style, the designer and her team put together a stunning exhibit. The exhibit, Journey of a Dress, is on display at the Wilshire May Co. building in Los Angeles till April 1^st . "She made me famous. She paid for all my bills. And tonight we celebrate the wrap dress," DVF mused at the opening.

 

A former princess, she decided to start her own business after marrying a prince simply because she didn’t want to be sitting at home playing the role defined for her. Obviously, her creative juices incited her to step into the world of fashion design, and now DVF is a name as legendary as any in the design circuit.

 

After seeing Julie Eisenhower on television wearing one of her own wrap top and wrap skirt (inspired by silk wrap separates worn by ballet dancers), the designer decided to create an entire wrap dress. Made out of cotton-jersey, the dress couldn’t have been created at a better time. With the women’s liberation in full force, gone were the days where they had to stuff themselves into restrained garments or anything that was portrayed as a symbol of oppression.

So popular was this simple creation, that the designer sold five millions dresses from 1973 to 1976. A dress that is so easy to put on, and that literally takes the shape of your body stays true to the slogan ‘Feel like a woman, Wear a dress’ used in her first advertisement. The dresses were not only easy to wear but were also fun through the use of vibrant prints--that being another one of her signatures.



The first DVF advertisement

It’s a dress that can be seen on a working mum or an A-list celebrity. A dress that proved to the world that fashion isn’t always associated with uncomfortable dressing. A dress that is feminine and sexy in every possible way.

I too am a great fan of the wrap and am fortunate enough to have collected quite a few of them in the past few years. Anytime I have a social event or a luncheon to attend and don’t feel like wearing something that restricts my movement I pick out one of my DVF wraps and I’m good to go. There’s nothing sexier than a dress that shows just the right amount of cleavage and a glimpse of a woman’s thigh at times. Feminine and fabulous, a wrap dress is a must have in a girl’s closet. Also, unlike other designer dresses, this won’t set you back thousands of dollars.

 



One of my favourite wraps



My other favourite wrap

The exhibit showcases Von Furstenberg’s favourite dresses from years gone by. Two hundred customised Ralph Pucci mannequins (they all have Diane’s cheekbones) are seen in different variations of the timeless wrap dresses, some of which date back to the 1970’s and you can even see the original sample. The dresses have not only been famous for liberating women but also for their eclectic prints. Leopard, python, geometric and even art; prints are a major part of their DNA.

 

Moving on from the mannequins, there are nostalgic photos of the designer’s first advertisement along with other ads, fashion shows, celebrities wearing the dresses in movies (think Cybil Shepherd in Taxi Driver), and even of Michelle Obama in her signature creation. There is also a letter from the legendary editor of Harper’s Bazaar, Diana Vreeland who told her that she thought her clothes were smashing! Now, if only I was in LA to see the exhibit.

 

In the last few years, I have noticed an increasing number of Bollywood celebrities and Indian fashion lovers sporting DVF dresses which is fantastic. It's great to know that her fan following has reached India. I love that the designer has entered the Indian market by making her clothes exclusively available at Kitsch. From Priyanka Chopra to Deepika Padukone and Lisa Hayden, all of them have been seen in her designs. Now that’s really a WRAP.

 

Deepika Padukone in DVF

Lisa Hayden in DVF

Sonakshi Sinha in DVF

 

 

Starry Night at Kitsch - A Sneak Preview Of Whats Going To Be On Sale At The Kitsch Boutique

In case you are still hesitant to shop your favourite designers online, well, worry not, Kitsch is going on sale! YAY!! This is by far my favourite multi designer boutique in Delhi. It has all my cherished designers. From Victoria Beckham to Stella McCartney to Alexander McQueen; I totally heart Kitsch. So make sure you visit the Defence Colony boutique on the 9th January 2014 to check out what's on sale. If you can't wait to find out, here is a sneak preview of 4 of my favourite items that are going to be discounted.

Stella McCartney Falabella fold over shoulder bag - I love this version of the designer's most famed Falabella bags which have become a real must have in a bag lover's closet. The Falabella is also a darling amongst the celebrities. Everyone from Kim Kardashian to Anne Hathaway have been seen holding the bigger version of this bag. If the original design is too big for you, opt for this small shoulder bag which is going to be on sale on the 9th January. Wear during a daytime luncheon or after hours at night; its a versatile little monster.

Rachel Roy sheath dress -  I'm loving the bright green colour on this dress. Perfect for the summer that is approaching in a few months. I know it's still far but hey, I'm all up for buying it on sale now even if I have to wear it a few months later. After all, it is a Rachel Roy dress.

Saint Laurent Paris Tribute Sandals - Do I even need to begin an intro for these almost iconic sandals? Worn by pretty much every celebrity and supermodel, when these babies go on sale, buy them. PERIOD.

Chloe Marcie bag - This is one of the classics from the house of Chloe which never ever goes out of style and enjoys a cult like following. I love the details on this bag especially the whip stitching on the front along with the gold hardware. Another thing I absolutely love about the bag is that its virtually logo free, or well, its not in your face.

With that being said, hope you have a fabulous starry night shopping at Kitsch!!

XOXO,
Me
 

For Those Frugal Days - Designer buys for under 20,000 Indian Rupees

So you all have shopped and shopped over the holidays in India, abroad and online and now you're broke. So what, we all go through our broke days. I am perpetually going through those as some stupid bag or the other uses up most of my savings so there's only so much leftover to buy all the other stuff I'm lusting after. We all have frugal phases in life so here's a post for all my lovelies with limited funds to pay for all the designer goodies we love so much.

With Matches Fashion and Net-A-Porter, the prices displayed are inclusive of duties and taxes and shipping is relatively cheap too (20 pounds at matches and 15 dollars with net-a-porter). However, from MyTheresa, prices are not inclusive of duties and shipping is about 69 Euros which is slightly pricey but trust me if I've featured the product it means its a real must have and is NOT available in Delhi and is likely to also sell out soon. So take a call accordingly my loves.

Here are my favourite items under 20,000 INR.

Alexander McQueen skull charm leather belt - For those of you who have been really lusting after a McQueen belt, now's your chance. At fifty per cent off, I couldn't ask for more. Use this belt to cinch your dress or simply to accessorise your jeans; an Alexander McQueen belt is the perfect accessory. Click here to purchase.

Alexander McQueen De Manta leather cosmetics bag - As you all know, just recently I invested in a De Manta clutch and I couldn't be happier. I love the shape of the De Manta and what I am loving even more is that they even have a cosmetics bag in this model. Now even my make up can travel or lay around my bathroom in style. A McQueen make up bag for 10,810 rupees and that too in leather, I mean really, I would be a fool not to buy this. Click here to purchase.

Valentino rockstud leather Iphone case - If you have been dying to own a Valentino Rockstud product but have been too broke to buy it, now is your chance! This series is highly coveted and even the iphone case makes a strong style statement. I adore the powder pink leather. So girly. Click here to purchase.

Agnelle moka ponyskin and leather gloves - Okay so the temperatures here in Delhi are taking a serious nosedive and my fingerless gloves do me no good when I'm out at night. ENTER, these super fun, printed gloves. Made from a combination of lambskin and calfskin with a 100 per cent cashmere lining, these gorgeous babies are not only stylish but functional too. For 7,000 rupees, these are definitely value for money. The leather exterior and cashmere lining are definitely going to keep your hands warm. Click here to purchase.

Sophia Webster amber plaid high-heel pumps - Sophia Webster is one of the hottest shoe designers these days and has taken the fashion world by a storm with her designs. I love the cheeky twist on the classic plaid on this particular pair and the ball embellishments are just so fun. The heel is just beyond sexy too. A pair of Sophia Webster shoes would be an important addition to your shoe closet and I suggest you order them soon as the sizes are selling out like hot cakes. Click here to purchase.

Dolce & Gabbana belucci velvet pumps - I have been looking for that perfect pair of simple black pumps which aren't too expensive and now I have found them. They are simple but versatile enough to pair with a lot of outfits and are sexy too. Click here to purchase.

Shourouk Atari embellished cuff - Parisian designer, Shourouk Rhaiem is one of the most sought after jewellery designers today, so you need to add this name to your designer dictionary like ASAP. What I love most about Shourouk jewellery is the eye catching colour combinations used. Take this cuff for example, don't you just love the contrasting shades of purple and pink Swarovski crystals? The cuff stays true to the designer's motto of "luxury and decadence". Click here to purchase.

Oscar De La Renta gold plated cabochon earrings - For the last few seasons I have become a huge fan of the designer's cabochon earrings. The fact that they're on 70 per cent off doesn't hurt either. The size paired with the green colour make it a statement accessory. Tie your hair up in a chic pony  tail for maximum impact. Click here to purchase.

SALE -ing Away - The bag lady!

Now that the NYE celebrations are over and I am back in Delhi, it's back to business. I will continue my sale post featuring bags this time around (my absolute favourite) to encourage you guys to spend your hard earned money of fabulous arm candy.  Here are my top picks.



Clutches

Victoria Beckham large zip leather clutch - I am a huge Victoria Beckham fan and just love her design aesthetic. Always minimal, clean cut and no fuss. I have been lusting after this leather clutch/pouch for a few months now and now that it's on sale, I cant think of a better time to buy it. The yellow and brown combination is so chic and it's also a very roomy clutch which means you can squeeze all your essentials in. Oh and its made in Italy. I love. Click here to purchase or check with the Kitsch boutique in Defence Colony for availability.

Stella McCartney patchwork faux leather clutch - My cousin's wife is a true vegan. Whilst she never touches meat, she also refuses to wear leather EVER. So Stella McCartney is her go to designer for handbags. I love how the designer really makes the most fabulous bags and clutches without touching leather. So if any of you reading this are against the use of leather, then this is the bag for you my lovelies. The glitter combined with snake print can really spruce up any outfit at night and honestly the price tag doesn't hurt one bit. Click here to purchase or check with the Kitsch boutique in Defence Colony for availability.

 Saint Laurent Paris betty studded suede shoulder bag - I am absolutely loving the rocker chic vibe on this bag. The minimalist structure, the simple black suede with these amazing gold studs and gold chain make this bag a must have for all these farmhouse parties you will be hopping to this winter. You can wear it with the shoulder strap or use it as a clutch. Click here or check with the Kitsch boutique in Defence Colony for availability.

Lanvin help embellished satin clutch - When I saw the Lanvin FW 13 show I was just floored by the crazy accessories and bags. That big LOVE necklace, that was just genius delivered by Alber Elbaz. You probably think I'm a nut job for always featuring a Lanvin bag, but I cant help myself. I told you this before I am head over heels in love with Alber Elbaz. This particular clutch has faux pearls and crystals spelling out HELP and is a real statement piece and will turn heads at any party. Click here to purchase or check with the Kitsch boutique in Defence Colony for availability.



Totes and a shoulder bag :)

Alexander Wang rocco studded leather tote - Oh my god, look at the coral colour on this bag! Isn't it just beautiful. I love how the studs at the bottom instantly transform this bag from simple to edgy. The shape is quite functional too and it looks roomy enough for all your essentials. Oh and it has a shoulder strap! wooohooooo. Click here to purchase.

Valentino rockstud leather bowling bag - When it comes to Valentino's rockstud series, honestly I need not say any more. From the shoes to the bags; everything ROCKSTUD is highly coveted. The prices are quite steep so when you get anything from this series pick it up fast before someone else gets their hands on it. Speaking of this bag, its a real keeper. The classic structure has been given a twist with the punk ish studs and can add a dash of glamour to any outfit. Click here to purchase.

Miu Miu leather trimmed canvas tote - I don't know what is it with me and bright colours this winter! Every bag I end lusting after is in this bright and happy colour. When I saw this one, it was like love at first sight. The yellow leather trim combined with the beige canvas makes this a very cheery bag for the cold winters. In fact just looking at it makes me gooey because its just so pretty. This one also has a shoulder strap. YAY! Click here to purchase.

Fendi textured leather shoulder bag - I wanted to feature a day bag that was easy going. You know, just something you can throw your essentials into and voila, ready to go. So I came across this gorgeous Fendi and just had to share it with you guys. Its got a lovely shape with soft leather. an adjustable shoulder strap and is just such a get set go bag. I LOVE. Click here to purchase. You can also check with the Fendi boutique at DLF Emporio if its available there. I believe they are going on sale really soon if they haven't already started.





 

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year my lovelies!!!! I hope this year brings you all the happiness and love each and every one of you deserves. As always my apologies for the disappearance. The husband and I with some friends took off to our 150 year old haveli in a small town named Tonk in Rajhastan. Needless to say connectivity was limited so I had no choice but be away from my beloved blog.

How did you guys ring in your new year’s eve? Mine was spent dancing around a bonfire with a few close friends listening to some fantastic music!

What are your resolutions for 2014? For me it is as always is to be happy, work hard, love and be loved and above all thank god for everything I have been blessed with.

XOXO

Me

SALE - ing Away: Blazers & Coats

December is one of my favourite months in the whole year. Not only does it bring this amazing weather in Delhi (and Dubai) but it brings with it Christmas cheer, holiday spirit, a million New Year plans and the SALES! Since I was bombarded with emails from all my favourite e-commerce sites about their end of season sales, I have gone through them all and will be blogging about my top picks. Today’s topic is jackets. I have mentioned previously that I never end up paying full retail for jackets simply because they all go on sale in December and fortunately for us winter just doesn’t end this month. The cold really seeps into Delhi in January as well so plenty of time to wear all the newly purchased goodies. And honestly, I find winter jackets just so sexy every year I wait for November to start pulling out all my sexy winter goodies.

So today’s post I will feature some fabulous jackets and coats. You must be wondering why I chose to feature blazers for winter. Well the thing is, in India we are lucky to have the most amazing daytime temperatures (on a good day it’ll be 20 degrees in Delhi) so we are able to show off our wool blend blazers without freezing our backsides off, hence the blazers for this product page. I have featured jackets in 4 different categories: Classic, Functional, Trendy & Statement. Also, this time around, I have factored in the affordability factor as winter wear can get quite expensive.

Blazers/Jackets

 

1. Theory Lanai leather-trimmed stretch-ponte blazer – A black blazer is an extremely crucial part of a girl’s closet. I myself have three of them. Two for casual wear and one beautifully tailored blazer for formal wear. This Theory jacket has an exceptional cut and the leather panels on the collar and sleeves make a strong style statement along with the padded shoulders. I love how it has an open front which means I don’t need to struggle with it trying to button it up and is versatile enough to pair with jeans, leather pants and maybe even a dress. Click here to purchase.

2. Diane Von Furstenberg Martha bouclé-tweed and faux leather jacket – This boxy jacket has a very relaxed silhouette and has this ease of wear. You know usually structured and fitted jackets don’t always have room to move but in this one maybe I can flail my arms around without the risk of ripping my lining. You probably think I’m nuts but in all seriousness, it is really hard to move around in fitted jackets. I kind of have to maintain my poise at all times! Moving on, it’s a cotton and wool blend so you can easily wear it on a slightly nippy day without feeling too hot or too cold. Close it or leave it open, wear it with jeans or a skirt; it really is a versatile piece. Click here to purchase.

3. MCQ Alexander McQueen zipped tartan wool blazer – Aaah, tartan, how I LOVE you! I’ve loved tartan since I was a kid. I remember my mom used to dress me up in these gorgeous Scottish kilts when I was a little girl. Anyways, so I had been looking for an affordable yet stylish tartan jacket and now I’ve found one. Also, ever since the Punk: Chaos to Couture exhibit, punk clothing is back with a bang, so this jacket is just in line with the current trend. The best part is that its 100 per cent wool and at the current sale price it’s a great deal. I remember once, I bought this stunning white jacket from ZARA for like ten thousand rupees and it wasn’t even wool! Again this jacket has a lovely cut and is very slimming. Click here to purchase or check with Kitsch at Defence Colony.

4. Just Cavalli printed satin jacket – Just as important as a black jacket is to a girl’s closet, a statement one is also a must have. This Just Cavalli runway jacket features beautiful bright floral motifs inspired by Tibetan textiles and will be the focal point of your outfit. Just remember to balance out the accessories as you don’t want the jacket to lose its charm. I just love it when runway pieces become affordable! Click here to purchase.

Coats to keep you warm!



Winter Coats

1. Sophie Hulme brushed wool blend coat – Ever since I discovered Sophie Hulme a few months ago, I have become a huge fan. I’m head over heels about her bags especially the orange one I featured in a previous post and after seeing this gorgeous jacket I took a trip to heaven and back. First up is the colour then the minimalist look and finally the very affordable sale price. At 230 pounds on sale without compromising on the fabric (its 70 per cent wool), I don’t think anyone can go wrong. Click here to purchase.

2. Burberry London quilted ruched shell coat – I had never been a big fan of bomber jackets until I got one stuffed with goose down last year. I bought one with such an amazing cut and fit that it was stylish enough to wear on a night out as well. That’s exactly what I like about this Burberry jacket. Its in a lovely purple colour and the belt is quite nice as well. Don’t you just love it when fashion meets functionality? This jacket will keep you warm on those extremely cold Delhi nights when you’re out at a farmhouse party in Chattarpur. Unlike your friends who will be brrrr ing away, you on the other hand will be quite cosy and stylish in this one! Click here to purchase or check with the Burberry boutique at DLF Emporio.

3. Isabel Marant, Etoile Isiah coat – I’m a big fan of Isabel Marant’s relaxed design aesthetic and this coat is just that. I love the cut on this one and the subtle black and white combination. It’s a very classic style coat which means that it will still be stylish for a few years to come. Click here to purchase.

4. Miu Miu wool coat – Okay so this jacket is leaning towards the steep end of the price spectrum but I swear to you the minute I saw it I was in love. Just look at the A-line silhouette and the girly skirt on the jacket. What’s there not to love?! Such a chic jacket. In fact it could turn out to be a real investment piece. Click here to purchase.